New Hit Netflix Movie Slammed as “Propaganda” by Outraged Viewers

Mark Fellman / Netflix

A new rom-com on Netflix is facing backlash due to its themes and content, while still being one of the most popular selections on the streaming platform right now. The movie, Purple Hearts , is about a woman who marries a Marine in order to get health insurance, and various aspects of the film have upset viewers, leading many to claim that it’s racist, misogynist, and even military propaganda. In response to the outrage, the director of Purple Hearts , Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum , and one of its stars, Sofia Carson , have spoken out in defense of the romance.

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Hopper Stone / Netflix

Purple Hearts— which was released July 29—is about a liberal musician, Cassie (Carson), who agrees to marry a conservative Marine named Luke ( Nicholas Galitzine ), for one year. She has Type 1 diabetes and desperately needs health insurance to pay for her treatment. Meanwhile, Luke joined the military in order to pay back a debt after suffering from addiction. As time goes on and Cassie and Luke face more hardships and time apart, they end up actually falling for one another for real.

Mark Fellman / Netflix

The backlash to the movie includes claims that it is military propaganda and that it includes unchecked instances of racism and misogyny. For example, at one point, another Marine giving a toast says, “This one is to life, love and hunting down some [expletive] Arabs, baby!” Cassie is upset by the comment, while Luke is not.

“I don’t get all the fuss about the movie « Purple Hearts » I mean it’s just a regular boring movie with a lot of racism and misogyny that’s romanticizing the military !!!!” wrote one Twitter user .

Another said , “Purple hearts is us military propaganda that uses the invasion & deaths of 1.2 million iraqis as a romcom Not to mention him defending his racist friend & telling her to sit down & stop it when she called him out after he was cheering with ‘hunting down some [expletive] Arabs.’”

Someone else wrote , “the way purple hearts isn’t even sublte [sic] but blatantly anti arab anti hispanic racist misogynistic AND pro military propaganda but ppl are frothing at the mouth bc enemies to lovers YEAH THEY’RE ENEMIES BCS HE’S A PRO GUN CONSERVATIVE SOLDIER AND SHE’S A LATINA LIBERAL.”

Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix

Rosenbaum spoke up for Purple Hearts in an interview with Variety , saying that the movie is meant to show how two very different people can come together despite their differences.

“I hope that people understand that in order for characters to grow, they need to be flawed in the beginning,” she said. “So we very much intentionally created two characters that had been bred to hate each other … In order for the red heart and the blue heart to kind of turn purple, you have to have them be kind of extreme. Some of the people that they’re surrounded with are even more flawed than they are. They both have been neglected by the system; he’s hurt in a war that doesn’t seem to be ending and she’s slipping through the cracks of the healthcare system. So they’re both neglected by the system, and then they live under one roof, and in these extreme circumstances, they learn to become more moderate and to listen to each other and to love.”

Rosenbaum added, “I do hope that anyone who’s in any way insulted by it understands that our intentions are very pure, and it’s because we feel like people need to grow and need to start to become more moderate.”

Sofia Carson at a LuisaViaRoma Unicef event in July 2022 - 5

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Carson, who in addition to playing Cassie is an executive producer of Purple Hearts , also shared her view on the movie.

“Why I fell in love with the movie is that it’s a love story but it’s so much more than that,” she told Variety . “It’s two hearts, one red, one blue, two worlds apart, who are really raised to hate each other. Through the power of love, they learn to lead with empathy and compassion and love each other and turn into this beautiful shade of purple. We wanted to represent both sides as accurately as possible.”

Similarly, Carson told The Hollywood Reporter , “We definitely wanted to showcase the dichotomy between these two characters and their incredibly differing political views without taking any sides. And also showing that, especially Cassie’s character, she doesn’t ever abandon who she is or what she believes in. What happens with these two people is that, rather than approaching each other with hatred and with seeing their divisions, they start to see each other as human beings, not just political views. They see each other with compassion and empathy. Call it optimistic, but that’s the story that we wanted to tell, is that if you lead with love, love can heal in ways that can be quite powerful.”

Hopper Stone / Netflix

Despite the backlash, many people have streamed Purple Hearts on Netflix. The movie has been viewed for over 100 million hours and took over the No. 1 spot from the Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans action movie The Gray Man .

Carson and Rosenbaum also feel that the movie has been successful thanks to the positive reaction it has received for representing people with Type 1 diabetes—amid the backlash. “We both felt like it was a massive part of the story and and a cool responsibility to be able to shed some light on it,” Rosenbaum told Variety . “But every time we talk ahead of time to anyone who has Type 1 Diabetes, they were just so grateful because usually it’s like, been a weakness for a character in movies, and oftentimes, they’ll die from it.”

Carson added that the response she’s experienced “has been so beautifully overwhelming” and that “so many people have felt seen or are comforted by this movie.” The actor continued, “That’s all we could want filmmakers and as artists.”

What You Should Watch on Netflix, Based on Your Zodiac Sign

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Choosing a new show on Netflix can be a bit overwhelming. With so many options and new titles being added every day, narrowing down your next pick is easier said than done. Rather than waste another minute in the endless scroll of your feed, why not turn to astrology for some guidance? Make your Netflix binge session a bit easier and read on for a list of the what you should watch according to your zodiac sign.

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Passionate, fiery, and fierce–Aries prefers movies that are larger than life. You like to be fully immersed from start to finish and prefer films with an element of drama, adventure, or suspense. Since, you yourself are always living life to the fullest, you thrive on high drama action thrillers. And with Mars, the planet of passion and aggression, as your ruling planet, it’s no surprise action movies are among your favorites.

Your weekend watchlist: Uncut Gems , Inception , Top Gun , The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo , and Red Notice .

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Few signs are in touch with their senses as much as you, Taurus—you have an appreciation for aesthetics and the finer things in life. Because of that love of flavor, beauty, and indulgence, Taureans love all things food. Cooking shows allow you to indulge the visual and sensual pleasures of creating your favorite meals without doing any of the work. And if you’re looking for something a little more high-stakes, there are plenty of competitive cooking shows to heat things up.

Your weekend watchlist: The Final Table , Salt Fat Acid Heat , Nadiya Bakes , The Great British Baking Show , and Nailed It! .

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Don’t play coy, Gemini–you’re a lover of all things scandal. As the social butterfly of the zodiac, nothing piques your interest more than a good bit of gossip . And is there anything better than knowing all the tea about drama you’re not a part of? If you’re looking for a new show that promises to serve up extravagant parties, scathing insults, longing glances, and a side of scandal, the period dramas on Netflix have everything you’re looking for and more.

Your weekend watchlist: Bridgerton , Downton Abbey , Reign , Versailles , and Anne with an E .

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Netflix

Cancer, it’s no secret that you’re obsessed with love and romance. You are known for your nurturing aura and are always looking out for others. You love a good story with highs and lows, perhaps some tears—really anything with lots of emotional drama and a few laughs along the way. Romantic comedies are the perfect way to spend a cozy night in. That said, Cancers are also lovers of the classic Nicholas Sparks type love stories.

Your weekend watchlist: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before , Destination Wedding , The Half of It , Always Be My Maybe , and Good on Paper .

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Leo, you are the performer of the zodiac. You are known for your love of all things extravagant. It takes a lot of star power and quality entertainment to keep you interested in a movie or television show. Oftentimes, slow burns or period pieces are too dull to keep your attention. If you’re looking for over-the-top entertainment with plenty of good drama and snappy comebacks, Netflix current reality tv rotation has just what you need. They offer up an endless collection of ready-to-binge reality shows, including a show where people marry a complete stranger and a series about professional match-makers.

Your weekend watchlist: Selling Sunset , The Ultimatum , Bling Empire , The Circle , and Are You The One? .

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Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix

You’re known as the perfectionist of the zodiac, Virgo. And as someone with an eye for the details, nothing gets you thinking like a mystery thriller. You love a plot with a twist, as well as characters that play mind games. There’s nothing more satisfying to you than trying to solve the crime before the detective on screen. However, if you do not find the plot interesting, it is very hard for you to focus or care. Virgo prefers movies that have an element of suspense and make them think.

Your weekend watchlist: The Woman in the Window , The Weekend Away , Secret Obsession , Crooked House , and The Girl on the Train .

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Libra, you are known for your love of equality and balance. With Venus as your ruling planet – you have a bit of a romantic and endearing side. As a champion of the underdog, you prefer to support independent artists and unsung creatives. Indie films tend to catch your attention for this reason. Nothing excites you more than finding a new independent film from an up-and-coming director, and the chance to see a unique story told excites your more creative side.

Your weekend watchlist: Grizzlies , ROMA , Uncorked , Really Love, and Ride Like A Girl .

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Scorpios are known for being mysterious, intense, and a bit dark at times. You tend to have a dark sense of humor and a very dry wit. When it comes to finding a film that will keep you engaged, you prefer movies with a psychological twist. You love the thrill and intensity of horror movies, and aren’t afraid of a good jump scare. Whether you’re into classic slasher flicks or modern day hauntings, Netflix has a great selection of scary movies for you.

Your weekend watchlist: A Nightmare on Elm Street , The Conjuring , The Exorcist , You , and The Privilege .

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While it’s true that you’re the adventurer of the zodiac, Sagittarius, you’re also a bit of a class clown. You are extremely extroverted and your goal while watching a movie is to have fun. And between traveling the world and picking up a dozen new hobbies, you don’t usually have time to binge watch new Netflix content; which is why you tend to go for a cult classic that you know and love.

Your weekend watchlist: Arrested Development , The Craft , Scott Pilgrim vs. The World , Starship Troopers , and Forgetting Sarah Marshall .

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Capricorn, you’re the more serious type. You’re smart and intellectual, and the kind of person who has a thirst for knowledge. Capricorn is always down to earth and practical, and so you would prefer a movie that allows you to indulge your cerebral side. Documentaries, biopics, and movies that are based on true stories are a personal favorite of yours. While there’s nothing wrong with a fictional story, documentaries offer a rare glimpse into another reality.

Your weekend watchlist: Miss Americana , We the Animals , Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond , Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce , and Knock Down the House .

RELATED: The Zodiac Sign Best at Lying, According to an Astrologer .

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Aquarius, you love to live life on the edge. You thrive in new and exciting situations and often have an eccentric personality. It’s difficult to know what really gets your mind going. However, given your daring and open minded nature, it’s safe to assume sci-fi and fantasy films suit you best. Although you tend to be a realist, you love to explore a new universe or alternate realities via movies and media. And as the rebel of the zodiac, there’s nothing you love more than a crew of outcasts venturing out on an epic quest.

Your weekend watchlist: Stranger Things , The Magicians , Stargate SG1 , Black Mirror , and The 100 .

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Image via IMDB/Netflix

Pisces, you’re an emotional sign that knows the value of a good crying session. And because you’re so intuitive, you tend to understand what others are feeling easily. You are known for your empathy, but you also love a bit of escapism. You love to get lost in the world of the show or movie you’re watching and really experience the full range of emotion. Tearjerker films are the perfect way to indulge your sensitive side in the comfort of your own home.

Your weekend watchlist: Selena: The Series , Marriage Story , Grey’s Anatomy , My Girl , and Dear John .

READ THIS NEXT: The Zodiac Sign Most Likely to Never Be Single, Astrologers Say .

New Hit Netflix Movie Slammed as “Propaganda” by Outraged Viewers#

What You Should Watch on Netflix, Based on Your Zodiac Sign#

New Hit Netflix Movie Slammed as “Propaganda” by Outraged Viewers

What You Should Watch on Netflix, Based on Your Zodiac Sign